D…C-YA

According to an online report today, citing multiple league sources, the 76ers organization privately hopes that coach Doug Collins decides not to return for the 2013-14 season and, regardless of his decision, it does not intend to extend his contract – which has one year remaining, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported late Wednesday morning.

Thus, the Sixers are hoping that Collins, who has never lasted more than three seasons at the helm of an NBA franchise, walks away from the organization all on his own.

And, boy, would many dedicated and knowledgeable fans in Philadunkia be more than eager to throw him a retirement party down South Street.

Collins has previously said that he doesn’t know what his future plans entail and he’s still focused on finishing out this season strong. But, the 61-year-old head coach and grandfather — who historically doesn’t have staying power with teams AND stays up til 3 a.m. on a nightly basis — had to at least mull over his future in the Wells Fargo Center once his team was officially eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, right?

Here is what is in the Sixers’ immediate future:

– The NBA Draft Lottery

– Determining whether to retain Andrew Bynum

– Draft a supposedly talented player in potentially the first 10 picks of the 2013 NBA Draft

– Decide whether to bring back Evan Turner

Knowing what Philadunkia knows about Doug Collins, it makes no sense whatsoever that the team, or he, would want the exhausted coach back on the sidelines in Philly.

We all know Collins wants to win, and desperately, so he certainly wouldn’t enjoy the lottery. We all know Andrew Bynum and Doug Collins are the farthest thing from a match-made in heaven, so he probably doesn’t want to stick around for that. We all know Collins doesn’t play rookies (see Vucevic, Nikola), so Collins won’t be the best coach for whomever they draft in June.

And, lastly, we know Collins has had a very inconsistent and often-tumultuous relationship with The Enigma, so having him in the front office to make the decision on Turner’s further career in Philly wouldn’t be rational either.

It’s a recipe for Collins to leave and move on to, not bigger and better, but different things.

Collins is a Hall of Fame NBA Broadcaster. If you watched Team USA dismantle the rest of the world in last summer’s London Olympics, you heard the 1972 Team USA star’s skills as a commentator and knowledge of the game. TNT would welcome him back with open arms.

Collins has also been a name that has been highly circulated when discussing the next Team USA coaching staff. Maybe he can come on as a defensive assistant coach and still connect with players and “teach”.

Once the season officially ends, and contracts are over, the Sixers will have just 7 players under contract. Those players will be an average of 24.6 years old. By season’s end, those players will also have an average of 4.7 years of NBA experience. In that crop of players is Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. If those are your three best players and they’re all 24 or under, this team needs a young coach!

Look at how the young and bullish Golden State Warriors have succeeded under head coach Mark Jackson. Look at how the Miami Heat have responded to Erik Spoelstra, the Pacers to Frank Vogel and the Clippers to Chris Paul (yes, that last one was a joke).

This Sixers team will most likely be bringing another young franchise cornerstone to the court for the first time next season in Andrew Bynum, as well. This crop of players needs a young, energetic, loud, yet insightful coach.

It’s not Doug Collins. And, it should be Aaron McKie.

But, that will have to be another topic for another day.

Jake Fischer is a Scribe for Philadunkia. You can follow him on Twitter @JakeLFischer.